# Mistigris — A Start in Life character guide

> Mistigris in A Start in Life by Honoré de Balzac.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the ruthless Mistigris, the merciless Mistigris, Monsieur Mistigris

**First appearance:** 0001-a-start-in-life

## Snapshot

A sly, quick-witted young painter's apprentice whose mischief and mimicry turn every roadside inn and diligence ride into a stage for his tricks.

## Who they are

Mistigris travels the Paris-to-l'Isle-Adam road in the orbit of his master, the painter Schinner, and becomes a fixture among the coach passengers who carry news, ambitions, and gossip between town and country. His nickname—'the ruthless,' 'the merciless'—is earned through practical jokes and a talent for puncturing the pretensions of self-important travelers. He matters because his irreverent eye exposes the social comedy of the novel's early arc, catching the vanity and calculation of provincials and Parisians alike before the story settles into Oscar's more painful education.

## Relationships

### [Pierrotin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/pierrotin)

_friendship_

Mistigris, a young artist, is a cheerful and loyal companion to Pierrotin, often riding with him for amusement.

### [Georges Marest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/georges_marest)

_rivalry_

Georges Marest and Mistigris engage in a playful but sharp rivalry, with Mistigris often besting Marest in wit.

### [Oscar Husson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/oscar_husson)

_friendship_

Mistigris and Oscar share a lighthearted friendship, with Mistigris often teasing Oscar but remaining a loyal ally.

### [Schinner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/schinner)

_friendship_

Mistigris and Schinner are fellow artists and close friends, collaborating and supporting each other's work.

### [Pierrotin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/pierrotin)

_friendship_

Mistigris, a young artist, is a cheerful and loyal companion to Pierrotin, often riding with him for amusement.

### [Oscar Husson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/oscar_husson)

_friendship_

Mistigris and Oscar share a lighthearted friendship, with Mistigris often teasing Oscar but remaining a loyal ally.

### [Georges Marest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/georges_marest)

_rivalry_

Georges Marest and Mistigris engage in a playful but sharp rivalry, with Mistigris often besting Marest in wit.

### [Schinner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/schinner)

_friendship_

Mistigris and Schinner are fellow artists and close friends, collaborating and supporting each other's work.

### [Schinner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/schinner)

_friendship_

Mistigris and Schinner are fellow artists and close friends, collaborating and supporting each other's work.

## In the story

### [A Start in Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_start_in_life_se/chapters/a-start-in-life)

A student traveling with Schinner, who interjects with humorous comments and references to boxing.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters/mistigris
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_start_in_life_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_start_in_life_se/characters